Pedestrian Traffic Report Documents Rising Fatalities

Jason ReeseApr 2, 2018

Synopsis

A new report reviewing the first half of 2017’s pedestrian traffic
fatalities has been released by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association,
estimating the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide
was 5,984.

One-third of these pedestrian fatalities occurred on local municipal streets
and about 75 percent occurred after dark.

Because both 2015 and 2016 saw large increases in pedestrian fatalities,
the continuation of pedestrian fatalities at virtually the same pace in
2017 raises continued concerns about the alarming pedestrian death toll.

While we certainly wish otherwise, with added driver distractions and more
pedestrians to share intersections with, it is not safe to assume a driver
will be alert and yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Take a moment
to notice traffic patterns, don’t be distracted, and always watch
for vehicles.

Pedestrian Fatalities Remain High Despite Awareness Efforts

The number of pedestrian fatalities in the United States is continually
growing at a rate faster than all other traffic deaths. According to preliminary
data from the first half of 2017, the Governor’s Highway Safety
Association (GHSA) estimates the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide
in 2017 was 5,984, a decrease of less than one half of one percent —
a number just slightly tweaked from 2016. This means, from the data available,
nearly 6,000 pedestrians died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016 and 2017.
While at the same time, all other traffic deaths decreased by 14 percent
putting pedestrians at a higher proportion of traffic fatalities than
the past 33 years.

On a national basis, other key findings from the most recent GHSA data include:

One-third of pedestrian fatalities occurred on local municipal streets.
The second largest category of fatal pedestrian crash locations was state highways.

About half of the pedestrian fatalities occurred between 6:00 p.m. and
midnight, with 75 percent occurring after dark.

Children ages 15 and younger account for about five percent of pedestrian
fatalities. Nationally, adults ages 70 and over account for 14 percent
of pedestrian fatalities.

Alcohol involvement for the driver and/or pedestrian was reported in nearly
half (46 percent) of traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian fatalities.

The projected number of U.S. pedestrian fatalities for all of 2017 was
estimated based on preliminary data from the first six months of 2017,
along with historic data regarding the annual number of pedestrian deaths
that occurred during the first and second halves of the year.

Pedestrian Fatalities Are Typically A Result of a Driver’s Poor Choices

Many pedestrian accidents are caused by the driver of the vehicle who is
distracted and fails to yield the right-of-way, leaving little room for
the pedestrian to avoid the incident. In Indiana, it is the law that vehicles
must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians walking within a crosswalk
that are in the same half of the roadway as the vehicle or when a pedestrian
is closely approaching. Other laws have been created to keep Hoosier drivers
safe from pedestrian actions as well though. Those include:

Pedestrians may not suddenly leave the curb and enter a crosswalk into
the path of a moving vehicle that is so close to constitute an immediate hazard.

Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing outside
of a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

Where traffic control devices are in operation, pedestrians may only cross
between two adjacent intersections in a marked crosswalk and may only
cross an intersection diagonally if authorized by a traffic control device.

In most cases, even with new in-car technologies to warn of an obstacle,
the driver is liable in a pedestrian-car accident. Even when the pedestrian
has been negligent and carries some of the blame for an accident, the
driver is often also partially at fault. Some of the more common driver
errors contributing to pedestrian injuries and fatalities include:

Speeding, Driving Under the Influence, and Distracted Driving

These are the big three of car crashes, and they play major roles in all
types of car accidents. Pedestrians are even more vulnerable to drivers
engaged in one or more of these activities, and their sustained injuries
can be far more serious if not fatal.

Failure to Make A Full Stop at Intersections

The rolling stop may feel like a harmless infraction but stop signs and
traffic signals exist for a reason, namely to force drivers to stop and
take full account of their surroundings and fellow drivers before moving
forward. Those who do not commit to a full stop may find themselves in
the way of another vehicle or may crash into people crossing at the intersection.

Illegal U-Turns

U-turns can be dangerous, especially in locations where they are not allowed.
U-turns are often illegal in areas where low visibility or speed of traffic
prevents the necessary observation for safe turning.

The Need for Mindful Pedestrians

There are ways to become a more mindful pedestrian and travel safely while
walking, even in busy or congested areas. We have pulled together these
easy tips for readers to review and
share with others.

Be Seen

Take the extra precautions for walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting,
or waiting near a roadway. Stay off of freeways, restricted-access highways
and other pedestrian-prohibited roadways and always walk on a sidewalk
if available, and if not, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic. If it
is dark, choose to wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight.

Look Out

It is critical to look in all directions when crossing, even if you are
at a crosswalk with a walk signal.

Cross in Safe Places

It is a terrible and potentially disastrous idea to dart across a road
quickly because you are rushing or don’t see traffic. Unless you
can see that it is clear in all directions, you should not cross.

Keep Your Head and Eyes Up

Avoid using distractors like phones or radios but don’t let this
tip apply only to electronics. Keep your head up and stay alert to your
environment, ready to act quickly if necessary.

While we certainly wish otherwise, it is not safe to assume a driver will
be alert and yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Take a moment to
notice traffic patterns, don’t be distracted on your phone or by
conversation, and always watch for vehicles.

Drivers and Pedestrians Have a Responsibility to Keep Each Other Safe

If you or a loved one has been injured in a
pedestrian related car accident, the personal injury attorneys at Wagner Reese are here to assist you.
We can help determine fault in the accident, as well as work to help secure
the compensation you deserve to make a full recovery.

Give us a call today at (888) 204-8440 to schedule a free consultation
or speak with us by
submitting our online form and our attorneys will review your information.

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Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
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